Martin Smith: Relief all round as Stoke City break win duck
WE really needed to win on Saturday, and it turned out to be a comfortable three points against a Swansea side who didn't provide the sort of challenge we expected.
Instead of a battle between two sides with different playing philosophies, fans witnessed one team trying to win and the other aimlessly passing the ball around all afternoon.
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CALL HIM UP: Stoke striker Peter Crouch celebrates his second goal against Swansea. Will he get an England call tomorrow?
If I was a Swansea fan, I'd wonder whether the battle to stay in the division is going to be a lot tighter than first thought.
But I'm not, and all of my attention is focused on the performance of the Potters.
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With difficult trips to Anfield and Old Trafford next up, anything less than victory could well have seen us joining the early-season strugglers.
First of all, this was a pretty comprehensive victory for Tony Pulis's team.
Once Peter Crouch headed home his first goal, the outcome of the game was never in doubt.
Looking at the good points, we should start with the contribution of Crouch, whose tireless efforts once again showed what a superb acquisition he has been.
Since the change in formation – from 4-4-1-1 to 4-5-1 – we have seen quite a few occasions when Crouch has been left isolated, forced to chase after lost causes and holding the ball up with two and three defenders all over him.
He does the job, though, and has been reaping the rewards inside the penalty area.
With the next England squad due to be named tomorrow, it seems unbelievable that the top-scoring English player in the Premier League should not be an automatic choice for Roy Hodgson.
And while we're on the subject, if Ryan Shawcross is overlooked again then someone should ring the police to report a crime!
Elsewhere, I think everyone will agree that the continuing form of Stephen Nzonzi is a real boost.
On Saturday he was excellent again, competing for every ball and linking up so much of our play.
My own man of the match, though, was Geoff Cameron. But I'll admit that when we signed him I didn't know the first thing about him – where he played or what he did.
However, in his few games since he arrived at Stoke he has looked like an absolute star.
He chases everything, covers the pitch and is superb at winning the ball.
And finally, on the subject of Saturday's good points, a mention for one of this season's unsung heroes so far – Asmir Begovic.
His form this season has been excellent and he now appears to be maturing into an outstanding talent.
There were plenty of teams showing an interest in him a couple of years ago and I imagine it won't be long before we're being forced to fend off more bids.
Back to the game itself and there were a couple of things which show you can always find something to have a little moan about... even when you are winning.
Charlie Adam is no doubt going to be a fine player for us, but at the moment it doesn't look as though he's sure of what his role in the team is.
He also seems to be trying for the killer ball all the time, when the simpler option might be the better choice.
I'm sure he'll get there, but on Saturday he was probably one of our least impressive performers. Having already mentioned Crouch we can look at our other England striker, Michael Owen.
It's early days, but we're still waiting to see how he's going to fit into our team.
And we got no clues on Saturday when he stayed on the bench all afternoon.
He needs fitness and match practice, but it's hard to see how he'll get the latter if he doesn't even get a run out in a game we're winning comfortably.
He's a big name who arrived at the club amid a huge fanfare of media interest so it's only natural that supporters will want to know how we intend to use him. I daresay we'll get to find out in the future.
Finally, having said what a very comfortable and comprehensive victory it was on Saturday, it was a little disappointing to see us struggling to get going in the second half.
We were cruising at the end of the first half, but we just couldn't get going again and managed to hand the initiative back to Swansea. In the first half they looked in trouble every time we got the ball into their area, yet after the break it took us until the 68th minute to get the ball into their box again.
It's only a minor grumble, given the win and the fact we were clearly the better of the two sides, but in the past we have been guilty of not being able to put two good halves together.
It shows, I suppose, that we're still a work in progress and that there's much more to be done.
That point will be highlighted on Sunday when we travel to Anfield to take on a Liverpool team managed by former Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers, who appear to be trying to play in a way we saw from the Swans last season. It'll be a tough and interesting day.
Comments
by jtflint2010
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 3:33PM
“I think Adam could do with the international break, but spending it at Stoke. Perhaps if he were to pick up an 'injury' that would rule him out for two weeks, it would benefit him more to get some sharpness back into his game before we hit a run of fixtures that are winnable. Against Swansea his dead-balls weren't great at all and his passing was fine but nothing special. If it isn't fitness, then I'd drop him to give him a kick up the backside and warn him that he isn't guaranteed a start if he doesn't perform. Might just be my opinion, but I like my Stoke XI to give a minimum of 7/10 each week, while since the Wigan game, Adam has only hit 5s and 6s. If anyone disagrees, fair enough. Just an opinion.”
by potterforlife
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 3:25PM
“little experience - having a laugh or what, past two years must have posted ten times a day!
Once again calling names and blaming others
as somebody said same old same old!
Come on sentinel, remove this blight!”
by MrDAP
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 2:09PM
“Not you Juzzah, PeterPotter!”
by PeterPotter
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 1:41PM
“Juzzah, from my brief experience on here, you will find that a select few are anything but realistic in their views and will, in no uncertain terms, bully you with name calling if you say the least little thing they don't agree with.It really is amazing to see how grown people react when you challenge them to respond with fact and proof to counter your opinion, it's all name calling and bizarre comments.
By the way juzzah, if you are a Liverpool fan, why come on here ?”
by Juzzah
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 1:27PM
“Why am I a knob??? Since when does telling the truth make someone a knob??? Is your comeback due to the fact that you have no argument with the facts stated? Well MrDAP irt really shows that you are either that blinkered that you think somehow I am incorrect or that you really have no way to argue the point. Martin Kelly was picked on merit for that position as we were getting short of back-up, Henderson and Downing I do not have a reason but these are beside the point. I personally am sick of hearing the call for Crouch to be picked when it was he himself that has done a good job of closing that door. I do like Shawcross however there are better players in front of him. They are the facts so if that makes me a knob, god only knows what it makes you!!!”
by wheatear
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 1:18PM
“same old same old from America”
by MrDAP
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 1:11PM
“Juzzah: if you are a Liverpoo fan as you appear to be, can you please comment on why Martin Kelly was selected by Hodgson? Why Henderson was selected? And why I have no doubt the useless Downing would get the nod?”
by Juzzah
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 1:00PM
“Ok to answer Mr Smith's call for England places firstly, Peter Crouch, he refused to be a stand-by player for the Euros and because of that Hodgson doesn't want to pick him, so Crouch's own fault. Secondly Ryan Shawcross, yes he is a decent player but better players for that position in front of him!!”
by PeterPotter
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 12:55PM
“Pulis is tinkering, no doubt about it and he needs to and the win was definitely needed, it goes without saying. I didn't think any team in this league could look worse than Reading did on opening day (a game which we drew by the skin of our teeth) but Swansea looked terrible and while we had a comfortable win, it was more due to their ineptness than our superiority. We beat them by the same score and just as comfortably 2nd half of last season in one of our 3 wins for the new year.We came out and played well for the first half much to my surprise, as wel las we did against Man City and Chelsea, and it produced the 2 goals, but Pulis could not resist reverting back to his old ways thinking we have this won. Personally, I'm not crazy about the 4-5-1 either as we still look anemic when it comes to trying to score and believe we should go to 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 with the following squad
Begovic
Wilkinson (when he returns,Cameron until then only). Shawcross Huth Wilson
Adam N'Zonzi
Pennant Owen Etherington
Crouch
Subs
Sorenson, Cameron (when Wilkinson returns) Whelan, Upson, Jones, Kightly, Walters
this will give Pulis his back 6 to defend, but also 2 central midfielders who are very capable of moving forward, have the ability to pass and hold possession when needed and even scoring in Adam's case. Owen gives us someone with skill and ability to score and he needs to start to see what he can do right away, not come on when a goal is needed, (lets hope Pulis sees this and does not use him like he did Fuller as the idiotic super sub. Also, nice to see Fuller putting in a few for Charlton once allowed to play) while Pennant gives us some sorely needed precision crosses and passes. I'm not sure about Etherington, if he just needs some regular playing time to return to his good self or what, but there is only 1 way to find out and that is play him.
As far as subs go, Kightly can be a good replacement for Etherington if allowed to play in a forward role not defending so much which he is already complaining about. Walters needs about a month's rest, more in his brain than his body as he really needs to sit back and think about what he has bee doing wrong and not at all since his fast paced and impressive debut 2 seasons ago that made everybody love him, because he really is not doing it, but he can come on as a sub for Owen who I'm sure will tire until he is back to full match form.”
by potterforlife
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 12:22PM
“A good summary of the match and the team and mirrors what I saw and thought, although I am less worried about Adam, who will put in better performances no doubt, especially when fully fit if comments from the club are to be believed. G Cam was a pleasure to see as a full back with so much more to offer with his breaks through the midddle. I have only heard one doubting voice about his contribution complaining he should have stayed at FB although the same person would have cried out for midfield runs from the player if he had not roved all over the pitch as he did on Saturday!
Main thing for me was the work in progress comment and I would add the old adage, teams can only play as well as the opposition allow them and we stopped Swansea on saturday, making them look ordinary. Against teams who play a more open game they will do better but I also commented that Swansea fans should be woriied about their season!
Finally, an old chestnut. The players TP picks he knows will offer cover for when players like G Cam venture forward and like it or not, this is one of the main reasons why they get chosen over others. On several occasions on Saturday players covering (and sorry to those who hate him to be mentioned. JW especially!) received an acknowledging round of applause for their efforts from the crowd. That is how we play and those who adapt better get chosen above others who do not offer so much to the team. The crowd by their applause seem to agree and recognise how important this is to the team. It is also one of the reasons why we bottled Swansea up on the day!”